Those of you wondering why you had to pay the fees to take the Lead Renovator Training class and to file with EPA and others seem to be getting away with not doing it may be interested to know that EPA is flexing its muscle. Window World of St. Louis Inc., has agreed to pay a $19,529 civil penalty to the United States to settle allegations that it failed to notify owners and occupants of at least 20 St. Louis-area residential properties built before 1978 of lead-based paint risks prior to performing renovation work at those locations, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to an administrative consent agreement filed by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan., the window replacement company, located in Maryland Heights, Mo., was legally required to provide owners and residents of the properties with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet before starting renovations at the properties.
The next thing to watch out for will be OSHA. They will begin enforcement of new residential fall protection guidelines on June 16, 2011. Residential builders will be required to take measure to ensure that employees working six feet or more above the lower level of the site to use guardrails, safety nets or a personal fall arrest system. A personal fall arrest system includes a full body harness, a deceleration device, a lanyard, and an anchor point, and must be rigged to prevent a worker from reaching the fall hazard and falling over the edge.
It does seem like the government agencies are trying to come up with ideas to make money. Just wish they wouldn’t do things drive up costs for builders and remodelers in these delicate economic times. Those contractors that are paying the fees and taking the courses to comply with new requirements at least deserve some acknowledgement. After 19 years of publishing ou magazine for the residential construction industry, we have launched a new website www.buildersavvy.com to help consumers do a better job of selecting a contractor to build or remodel their home. Some of the recommended criteria includes: Is your builder a member of a professional industry association? What types of continuing education has he/she taken. We will make an announcement soon about the Builder/Remodeler directory being developed on this site and your opportunities to list on it.
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